Backpacking adventure brings women together on Blessing Mountain

Ten women from across the region spent Aug. 16-17 backpacking during an overnight trip made possible by a partnership between Deep Green Journey, the Vernal School’s Women Reconnecting and Engaging with Nature (WREN) program, and Rider Park.

The group hiked 6.5 miles over two days, crossing Blessing Mountain and finishing near Jacoby Falls. For some, including Shaina Davis of Danville, it was a first backpacking experience, carrying full packs and camping overnight in the woods.

“I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone and go backpacking.” Davis explained. “This was my first backpacking experience. It was great! I would do it again!”

​For others, the trip was about challenging themselves. “This trip was more than I could have hoped for,” Becky Stugart of Millville reflected. “As a new mom, I relearned my strength and challenged my capabilities. Sharing this weekend with other strong women committed to bettering their lives through outdoor adventure, I walked away from the weekend with new friends, new skills and great memories.”

Janis Smith of Williamsport described it as a long-awaited opportunity. “I have always wanted to try backpacking. I grew up watching my brothers go backpacking and then later in life, my own sons,” Smith recalled. “I never experienced the journey until this past weekend. An amazing group of women came together to backpack from Rider Park to the parking area of Jacoby Falls. What a rewarding time together. I always knew I would make it to the end, but I was not sure how long it would take. I could not have done this without these wonderful women who all worked together to make everyone comfortable and successful."

The women faced both challenges and moments of joy. During the first day the encountered a rattlesnake on the trail, hiked through an unexpected rain shower, searched for water after an expected source ran dry and learned how to locate and set up a campsite. By evening, they gathered around a campfire for conversation, s’mores and laughter as they tried to remember the lyrics to old songs and listened to the insect chorus of a late summer night.

Day two began with breaking down and cleaning up camp before navigating down the switchbacks the through hemlock forests of Blessing Mountain to cross Wallis Run. The trek gave the women a chance to experience varied terrain, elevation change and stream crossings, adding to the experience.

Rider Park manager Sara Street noted that the group worked together to overcome challenges and enjoy the environment. “I enjoyed hiking across Blessing Mountain with a group of women,” Street shared. “We helped each other, discovered nature, enjoyed the sounds of the forest, saw warblers and a rattlesnake up close, and waded Wallis Run to end the trip. By the end we all looked forward to a shower, but the sense of accomplishment was universal.”

Beth Jones of Deep Green Journey added that the program reflected the partnership’s mission. “I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with an amazing group of women as we traveled up and over Blessing Mountain, spending an overnight in the woods, overcoming obstacles, encouraging one another along the way to find inner strength and beauty together. It was a wonderful experience for Deep Green Journey to partner with the WREN Program and Rider Park to provide this opportunity for women to try backpacking.” 

“This backpacking trip was one of the most requested activities through the WREN program, and it would not have been possible without the partnership of Deep Green Journey and Rider Park,” said Marissa Crames, program supervisor for the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership. “Both Beth and Sara are incredibly inspiring leaders, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with them on future programs.”

​For more information, visit:

WREN: www.vernalschool.org
Rider Park: www.riderpark.org
Deep Green Journey: www.deepgreenjourney.com

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